BODYCAST - THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CSOT

Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Modern Total Contact Casting
by Peter J. Spruit, RN, Ortopaedic Technologist
Universtiy Hospital, Rotterdam, Holland
Technical Service, Specialist Immobilization - 3M

(Published on CD ROM "Working with Soft Cast" by Jan Sehuren, MSc, OTC)
Presented at CSOT Congress, Toronto, May 1, 2004

Introduction

One complication of diabetes is a neuropathic ulcer of the foot. Sensory impairment seems to be a critical element in the pathogenesis. Other factors known to be associated with neuoropathy are alcoholism, hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, and pathological conditions involving the spinal chord. Change in activities, new shoes and injuries are some factors that can lead to ulceration.

Demographics

The Internation Diabetes Foundation (IDF) speaks of 150 million people worldwide with a diagnosis of diabetes.

Diabetes is expected to increase explosively. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of diabetics will double by the year 2025 due to increasing age, obesity, sedentary lifestyles and changing dietary patterns.

This abstract is a portion of the article which appears in the Spring 2004 issue of BodyCast.  
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